(Baby Boom n. a sudden, large, sustained increase in the birthrate, especially the one in the United States and Canada from the later 1940s through the early 1960s)
Lined up at the bar like crows on a fence
our conversation is muffled by the din
of others talking. We are baby boomers at the
neighborhood bar, single every one of us, avoiding
another meal alone.
neighborhood bar, single every one of us, avoiding
another meal alone.
There is comfort in familiar faces, bustling servers,
the smiling barkeep, clanging sounds from the kitchen,
the smell of grease. We nuzzle our drinks, sip slowly,
roll the taste around in our mouthes - and sigh.
the smiling barkeep, clanging sounds from the kitchen,
the smell of grease. We nuzzle our drinks, sip slowly,
roll the taste around in our mouthes - and sigh.
One watches “Jeopardy” with closed captioning and
shouts out the answers. Another bemoans the stupidness
of others while yet another talks to the air. Two slip
outside to smoke. Left to our own devices, we eat
fried food and have another drink.
shouts out the answers. Another bemoans the stupidness
of others while yet another talks to the air. Two slip
outside to smoke. Left to our own devices, we eat
fried food and have another drink.
Conversation lags and we climb off our stools, deal
with our coats and start for the door. Along the way,
we stop to speak to other boomers we recognize but
cannot name. We smile and wish each other good night
and walk to our cars and drive home.
with our coats and start for the door. Along the way,
we stop to speak to other boomers we recognize but
cannot name. We smile and wish each other good night
and walk to our cars and drive home.
© 2013 cjschlottman
